Check-out counter

ABSTRACT

A check-out counter for use in retail stores and including an automatic bag opening mechanism. The check-out counter consists of two counters arranged in a generally T-shaped configuration. A bag loading recess is formed in one of the counters at the intersection of the two counters and the bag opening mechanism is adapted to locate an open bag in the bag opening recess. The counter also includes a cash register support which is mounted for movement between two positions relative to one of the counters so that the check-out counter itself may be operated by one or two operators. Bag storage means is formed in one of the counters on one side of the recess and the bag opening means includes a clamping mechanism which is movably mounted in the counter in the opposite side of the recess for movement across the recess to grip the edge of a bag located in the bag storage means and back across the recess to locate the bag in a vertically disposed open configuration.

United States Patent [1 Cole [54] CHECK-OUT COUNTER [75] Inventor: Edmund A. Cole, Cooksville, On-

tario, Canada Assignee: Ernest C. Peters, Bramalea, Ontario,

Canada; a part interest [22] Filed: March 11, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 123,294

[52] U.S. C1. ..53/384, 53/189, 53/391 [51] Int. Cl "1365b 67/04, B65b 67/12 [58] Field of Search ..53/391, 390, 190, 189, 384

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,025,651 3/1962 Stanley ..53/390 X 2,569,711 10/1951 Foster 53/391 UX 3,075,324 1/1963 Burks et al.... 53/189 X 3,538,671 11/1970 Wallace ..53/189 X 2,958,990 11/1960 Kerker ..53/386 X 3,564,814 2/1971 Graveley ..53/189 3,220,163 11/1965 Celis ..53/390 3,074,511 l/l963 Joyce ..53/390 X 3,262,249 7/1966 Finerow ..53/190 X 1,800,657 4/1931 Pelletier... ..53/l89 3,225,514 12/1965 lnglctt .Q ..53/l90 the bag opening means mmmmu .T

[ 51 Jan. 2, 1973 Primary ExaminerTravis S. McGehee Assistant Examiner-Horace M. Culver Attorney-Fetherstonhaugh & Co. a

57 ABSTRACT A check-out counter for use in retail stores and including an automatic bag opening mechanism. The check-out counter consists of two counters arranged in a generally T-shaped configuration. A bag loading recess is formed in one of the counters at the intersection of the two counters and the bag opening mechanism is adapted to locate an open bag in the bag opening recess. The counter also includes a cash register support which is mounted for movement between two positions relative to one of the counters so that the check-out counter itself may be operated by one or two operators. Bag storage means is formed in one of the counters on one side of the recess and includes a clamping mechanism which is movably mounted in the counter in the opposite side of the recess for movement across the recess to grip the edge of a bag located in the bag storage means and back across the recess to locate the bag in a vertically disposed open configuration.

5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJANZ 197a 3. 707.826

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zsy myzf ATTORNEYS CHECK-OUT COUNTER FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to check-out counters.

In particular this invention relates to a check-out counter which is designed to speed up the process of handling and packaging the various items passing through the check-out station.

PRIGR ART In retail stores which operate on a self-service method of retailing, one of the greatest problems is the delay which occurs at the check-out counter. A further problem exists due to the fact that during very busy periods two or more clerks are employed at each check-out counter, while during quiet business hours only one clerk operates at each check-out counter. The known check-out counters are not designed to operate efficiently under both conditions.

SUMMARY The present invention overcomes the difficulties of the prior art described above by providing a check-out counter which comprises in combination a first counter having moveable belt means forming the counter surface and a second counter having a bag loading recess formed therein, said first counter being disposed substantially at right angles to said second counter with one end thereof adjacent said bag loading recess such that merchandise placed'on said first counter may be moved to a position adjacent said bag recess.

In a further embodiment of this invention there is also provided an automatic bag opening and storage means for automatically locating a bag in the bag loading recess in an open condition when the check-out counter is in use.

In a still further embodiment of the invention there is provided a moveable cash register support means and guide means for guiding the cash register support means from a position at one end of said first counter to a position at the other end of said first counter adjacent said second counter.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention will be more clearly understood after reference to the following specification read in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the check-out counter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken in the direction of the arrow 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of the driving mechanism for the bag opening device.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed view of the clamping means used to grip one edge of a bag.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of the bag storage means.

FIG. 6 is a partial side view showing the method of operation of the clamping device.

FIG. 7 is an end view showing a bag in an open position within the loading recess of the second counter, and

FIG. 8 is a pictorial view of a typical closed bag of the type employed in the check-out counters of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings the reference numeral 10 refers generally to a check-out counter according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 the check-out counter includes a first counter generally indicated by the reference numeral 12 which is provided with two moveable belts l4 and 16 which form the counter surface of the first counter 12. The belts are installed in a well-known manner and are operable independent of one another by suitable switches 14s and 16s. The switches 14s operate the belt 14 and are located in two positions such that the belt 14 may be operated by a clerk located in either of two operating positions as will be described hereinafter. The switch 16s is located at the second of the two positions such that only one of the clerks may operate the belt 16. The check-out counter 10 also includes a second counter 18 which extends substantially at right angles to the first counter 12 and which is fonned with a bag loading open recess 20 which is open at its upper end and at one side as shown in FIG. I. The first counter 12 is located relative to the second counter 18 in such a way that one end of the first counter 12 is adjacent to the bag loading recess 20 such that merchandise placed on either of the moveable belts l4 and 16 may be moved toward the bag loading recess 20. The overall efficiency of the check-out counter of the present invention is also increased by providing a moveable cash register support stand 22 which is moveable in a controlled path relative to the first counter 12. The stand 22 is adapted to support a cash register 23 and is moveable by means of castors 25. The path in which the support stand 22 is moveable is controlled by the guide means 24 which is generally indicated in cross section in FIG. 2. The guide means includes a guide rail 26 which is rigidly secured to the counter 12 and forms a track in which a pair of rollers 28 are free to travel. The rollers 28 are rotatably carried by brackets 30 (only one of which is shown) which are mounted to one side of the support 22. The cash register support stand 22 is moveable between a first position adjacent the end of the counter 12 which is remote from the counter 18 and a second position at the end of the counter 12 which is adjacent the counter 18. When the support stand 22 is in the first of said positions, the check-out counter is generally in a condition suitable for operation by at least two check-out clerks and when the register is in the second of said positions the check-out counter is in a condition which is particularly suitable for the operation by one clerk.

As previously mentioned a further important feature of the present invention is the provision of automatic bag opening means which is adapted to automatically locate a bag in an open position in the bag loading recess. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings the automatic bag opening device includes bag opening means which is normally located within the portion 18a of the second counter 18 and bag storage means which is located within the portion 18b of the second counter 18.

In FIG. 3 of the drawings the bag opening mechanism which is contained within the portion 18a of the counter 18 is shown in detail. The primary object of the mechanism illustrated is to cause the clamping means which is generally indicated by the reference numeral 32 to move across the recess to grip one edge of a bag of the type which will be described hereinafter. The mechanism includes a motor 34 which drives a reduction gear 36 which has rotatable output disc 38. The disc 38 is pivotably connected to one end of a link 40 while the other end of the link 40 is pivotably connected to the lower end of a pair of rocker arms 42. The rocker arms 42 are pivotably mounted on a support bracket 44 by means of a pivot pin 46. The upper end of the rocker arms 42 are pivotably and slidably connected to a bracket 48 which is in turn rigidly connected to the clamping guide rod 50. The upper ends of the rocker arms 42 are provided with slots 43 in which the bracket 48 is free to move. The slots 43 permit the rocker arms 42 to rotate about the pivot pin 46 to move the rod 50 backward and forward to cause the clamping means 32 to move across the recess. The rod 50 is slidably supported in suitable guide bearings 52. In order that the bag opening device may operate automatically a suitable sensing arm 54 is adapted to extend into the recess opening 20. The lower end of the arm 54 is carried by a shaft 56 which is rotatably mounted in bearings 58. At one end of the shaft 56 there is an arm 60 which is adapted by rotation of the shaft 56 to operate a microswitch 62. It will be apparent from FIG. 3 of the drawings that due to the weight distribution of the arm 54 relative to the axis of the shaft 56 the arm 54 will normally tend to fall into the recess 20 and thereby rotate the shaft 56 to activate the microswitch 62. A light spring 64 is preferably connected to an extension of the arm 54 which extends beyond the shaft 56. The spring 62 serves to slow down the falling action of the arm 54 into the recess.

When there is no bag in the recess 20 the arm 54 is free to move into the wall and by this movement activates the microswitch 62 as previously described. When the microswitch 62 is activated the motor 34 is activated and this in turn drives the reduction gear 36 to rotate the disc 38 which moves the rocker arms 42. When the rocker arms 42 move from the position illustrated in FIG. 3 the clamping means 32 is moved across the recess opening and in the manner to be described hereinafter the clamping means 32 grips one edge of a bag and pulls that edge of the bag back across the recess opening. As the clamping means 32 returns across the recess the portion of the bag which it is gripping comes in contact with the arm 54 and causes the arm 54 to move in the same direction as the clamping means 32. The movement of the arm 54 continues until the rotation of the shaft 56 is sufficient to cause the rocker arm 60 to contact the microswitch 62 to interrupt the supply of power to the motor. The mechanism will remain stationary during all of the time that the open bag is in the recess, but immediately upon the removal of a bag from the recess the arm 54 will again fall into the recess and the bag opening process will automatically be repeated.

The clamping means, which is purely mechanical, serves to grip one edge of a bag as illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The clamping means 32 comprises a finger 66 which is pivotably carried in a slot 68 formed at the free end of the rod 50. The finger 66 pivots about the pivot pin 70. The clamp 32 also includes an anvil member 72 which is threadably mounted within a block 74 to permit adjustment thereof. The anvil 72 is maintained in a rigid position by means of a lock nut 76. The finger 66 is provided with a pair of rollers 78 which are rotatably mounted, one each side of the upper end of the finger. One end of each of a pair of springs 80 is adapted to press downwardly upon the rollers 78 while the other end of the spring 80 are rigidly secured to the upper end of the block 74 by means of a clamping plate 82. The downward pressure applied by the springs 80 may be adjusted by means of a bridge piece 84 and a screw 86 which is threaded into the arm 50. A striker pin 88 is formed at the upper end of the finger 66 and is adapted to fit within a recess 90 formed in a latch member 92. The latch member 92 is pivotably connected by means of a pivot pin 94 to the underside of the counter surface 18a. The latch 92 is maintained in a position which is in alignment with the shaft 50 by means of suitable stop means (not shown) which prevent anticlockwise rotation and a spring 96 which urges the latch in an anticlockwise direction against the stop means. The latch may be deflected from its aligned position with respect to the shaft 50 in the direction of the arrow A a sufficient distance to permit the striker pin 88 to be located within the recess 90. The recess 90 is elongated and is of greater length than the thickness of the striker pin 88, in order that the clamping means may come to rest in any position with the striker pin located within the slot. It will be apparent that the inner face of the recess 90 is located inwardly of the fully retracted position of the striker pin 88. By making the recess 90 elongated it is not necessary to bring the motor and actuating mechanism to rest at any exact point.

When the clamping means 32 is set in motion by movement of the rod 50 the finger 66 is moved forward until the striker member 88 contacts the outer end of the recess 90. Further movement of the rod 50 causes the striker pin 88 to be held against movement by the outer edge of the recess 90 and consequently the finger rotates about the pivot pin in the direction indicated by the arrow B. This rotation will continue until the force applied by the springs to the rollers 78 will act in a plane inwardly of the center line of the axis of rotation of the pivot pin 70 and will, therefore, cause the finger 66 to continue to rotate in the direction of the arrow B until it comes to rest against the shoulder 68a formed in the slot 68. In this position the finger 66 will point forwardly toward the back storage area as indicated in FIG. 5 and the striker pin will pass under the latch 92.

Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawings it will be seen that the bag storage area underlies the counter 18b and is fonned with a bag discharge opening generally indicated by the reference numeral 100. The top wall of the bag storage area 18b is pivotable by means of hinges 19 to provide access to the bag storage area to permit bags to be loaded therein. Bags are prevented from passing directly out of the bag storage area by means of a lower retainer lip 102, and a pair of side retainer lips 106. Upper edge member 104 extends between the side retainers 106 but it is disposed above the upper edge of the bags and does not serve as a retainer. The guide means 108 which will be described hereinafter serves to retain the central portions of the upper ends of the bags in the bag storage area. The lower ends of a plurality of closed bags are supported by a pair of spaced curved tracks 110 which are rigidly secured to the base of the bag storage area and curve upwardly in a direction away from the discharge opening 100. This curvature tends to assist in directing the bags towards the opening 100. The bags are maintained in a closely stacked relationship and urged towards the opening 100 by means of a system of weights as illustrated in FIG. 5. A guide track 112 ismounted on each wall of the bag storage area and supports a shaft 114 which carries a weight 116. The shaft 114 is connected by cables 118 by way of pulleys 120 and 122 to ballast weight 124. The weigh 124 acts on the shaft 114 to urge it towards the bag discharge opening 100. The weight 124 acts on the shaft 114 to urge it towards the bag discharge opening 100. The weight 116 is disposed adjacent to the upper ends of the bags when the bags are located in the bag storage area. A further weight 126 is located adjacent the lower end of the bags when they are in the bag storage area and is connected to the weight 116 by means of a rod 128. The weight 116 is free to rotate relative to the shaft 114 such that the weight 126 need not necessarily be located vertically below the shaft 114. This is important in view of the fact that the overall thickness of a plurality of bags arranged in a stack is much greater at their lower end than it is at their upper end due to the folds which form the closed end of a paper bag.

An additional bag storage box 180 is attached to the rear wall of the bag storage area 18b to retain a plurality of different sizes of small bags of the type used to individually wrap certain articles of merchandise.

A typical bag of the type suitable for use in the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 8. The bag has a front face 130 which hasan upper edge 132 with a semi-circular finger cutout 134 formed therein. The bag also has a bag face 136 with an upper edge 138 which is continued. The front face 130 is connected to the bag face 136 by side pleats 140 and 142. The bottom wall forming portion of the bag 144 is folded against the back wall 136 of the bag in the well known manner. With bags which are constructed in this manner, the upper edge 138 of the back face 136 will extend upwardly beyond the upper edge 132 of the front face 130. When the bags are located in the bag storage area they are all positioned with their open ends upwardly disposed.

Referring now to FIG. 6 of the drawings it will be seen that the guide member 108 is rigidly secured to the member 104. The guide member 108 is formed with a cut-out portion 146 which is located in alignment with the finger 66. The finger 66 has a curved upper surface 148 which bears against the edge 150 of the cut-out 146 as the finger 66 is moved towards the bag storage area. When the bags are in the bag storage area the semi-circular finger opening 134 is aligned with the guide 108 and as the finger 66 moves into the opening 146 it passes through the semi-circular opening 136 and contacts the back wall 136 of the first bag in position at the bag discharge opening. As the finger 66 continues to move forward it is deflected downwardly and pivots in the direction of the arrow C about the pivot pin 70 to the position shown in broken lines wherein the outer wall 130 of the bag is clamped between the finger 66 and the anvil 72. The action of the springs 80 on the rollers 78 serve to maintain the finger in the clamping position. By careful adjustment of the movement of the clamp 32 the direction of reciprocating movement will be reversed immediately after the finger is moved to the clamping position. As the clamp moves away from the bag storage area it carries one wall of the bag with it and pulls a major portion of the bag out of the bag storage area to locate the bag in an open condition within the recess 20 as shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings. When the bag moves to this open position the front wall contacts the sensing arm 154 and moves it to a position wherein the microswitch 162 is activated to de-activate the motor 34 and thereby bring the clamp 32 to rest. When the bag is in the position shown in FIG. 7 the sales clerk merely opens out the lower end of the bag such that it rests against the lower surface of the recess 20 and then the various articles located on the moveable belt 16 may be placed in the open bag. When the bag is full it is withdrawn from the recess 20 and the sensing arm 54 automatically moves forward to activate the bag opening apparatus and the cycle. is repeated to automatically locate a further bag in the position shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings.

When the check-out counter of the present invention is in use with two sales clerks in attendance with the cash register support stand 22 is located in the first position as previously mentioned which is illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. One of the sales clerks is in charge of the cash register and controls the flow of merchandise on the first moveable belt 14. The second sales clerk takes up a position behind the open end of the recess 20 and controls the movement of the second moveable belt 16. The automatic bag opening device previously described locates a bag in an open position within the recess 20 and the second sales clerk removes the merchandise from the second belt 16 and loads the open bag which is located within the recess 20. When the bag is filled, the sales clerk removes the bag and places it on the counter surface 18a ready to be removed by the customer. As soon as one bag has been filled and removed from the recess 20 the automatic bag opening device is activated to open a further bag and locate it in an open position in the recess 20 and the packing process is repeated until all of the merchandise has been packed.

When the check-out counter is to be operated by a single sales clerk the cash register stand 22 is moved to the second position wherein it is adjacent to the counter surface 18b and one operator performs the cashing operation and the packaging operation. When this procedure is being employed both belts l4 and 16 may be moved simultaneously. The single sales clerk will stand in the position previously occupied by the packing sales clerk. In this position the single sales clerk will have easy access to the cash register, the open bags and the discharge end of the moveable belt 16.

From the aforegoing it will be apparent that by the relative location of the two counter surfaces and the provision of a bag loading recess the check-out counter of the present invention is extremely efficient. It will also be seen that the efficiency of this check-out counter is further increased by the provision of an automatic bag opening device and by the provision of a cash register support which is moveable between two operating positions.

It will be noted that the clamping device which is employed in the bag opener is mechanically operated and is activated to move to a closed position by mechanical means such that it cannot operate to move to a clamping position until it is accurately located with respect to the wall of the bag to be clamped therein.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A check-out counter comprising in combination: a first counter having movable belt means forming a counter surface, a second counter having an open recess formed therein to provide a bag loading recess, said first counter being disposed substantially at right angles to said second counter with one end of said first counter adjacent said bag loading recess such that merchandise placed on said first counter may be moved to a position adjacent the open end of said recess, bag storage means formed in said second counter on one side of said recess and clamping means movably mounted in said second counter on the opposite side of said recess, said clamping means being movable across said recess to grip an edge of a bag located in said second counter and movable back across said recess to locate said bag in a vertically disposed open configuration, said storage means including a bag discharge opening formed in said second counter, retaining means at said opening normally retaining bags in said storage means, a clamp guide means mounted at the upper edge of said discharge opening and extending downwardly into said passage; and clamping means movably mounted in said second counter on the opposite side of said recess and disposed in alignment with said guide means, said clamping means being guided by said guide means as it moves across said recess to grip an edge of a bag, said clamping means ineluding an anvil, a pivotably mounted finger movable between a first position wherein it points towards said bag discharge opening to a second position wherein it bears against said anvil in a position to clamp one side of a bag therebetween, spring means for maintaining said finger in either said first or second positions, said guide means having a cam surface adapted to contact said finger to cause said finger to pivot from said first position to said second position as said clamping means moves across said recess, and catch means carried by the opposite side of said second counter and adapted to contact said finger as it is moved towards said bag storage area to move said finger to said first position.

2. A check-out counter as claimed in claim 1 including movable cash register support means and guide means for guiding said cash register support means from a position adjacent one end of said first counter to a position adjacent the outer end of said first counter.

3. A check-out counter as claimed in claim 1, including sensing means extending into said recess for detecting the presence of a bag in said recess, said sensing means being adapted to activate said clamping means to move across said recess when the recess is empty and to maintain said clamping means in a withdrawn position when a bag is located in said recess.

4. A check-out counter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said recess is located substantially centrally of said second counter.

5. A check-out counter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first counter has two movable belt means forming two movable counter surfaces arranged in series and independently operable. 

1. A check-out counter comprising in combination: a first counter having movable belt means forming a counter surface, a second counter having an open recess formed therein to provide a bag loading recess, said first counter being disposed substantially at right angles to said second counter with one end of said first counter adjacent said bag loading recess such that merchandise placed on said first counter may be moved to a position adjacent the open end of said recess, bag storage means formed in said second counter on one side of said recess and clamping means movably mounted in said second counter on the opposite side of said recess, said clamping means being movable across said recess to grip an edge of a bag located in said second counter and movable back across said recess to locate said bag in a vertically disposed open configuration, said storage means including a bag discharge opening formed in said second counter, retaining means at said opening normally retaining bags in said storage means, a clamp guide means mounted at the upper edge of said discharge opening and extending downwardly into said passage; and clamping means movably mounted in said second counter on the opposite side of said recess and disposed in alignment with said guide means, said clamping means being guided by said guide means as it moves across said recess to grip an edge of a bag, said clamping means including an anvil, a pivotably mounted finger movable between a first position wherein it points towards said bag discharge opening to a second position wherein it bears against said anvil in a position to clamp one side of a bag therebetween, spring means for maintaining said finger in either said first or second positions, said guide means having a cam surface adapted to contact said finger to cause said finger to pivoT from said first position to said second position as said clamping means moves across said recess, and catch means carried by the opposite side of said second counter and adapted to contact said finger as it is moved towards said bag storage area to move said finger to said first position.
 2. A check-out counter as claimed in claim 1 including movable cash register support means and guide means for guiding said cash register support means from a position adjacent one end of said first counter to a position adjacent the outer end of said first counter.
 3. A check-out counter as claimed in claim 1, including sensing means extending into said recess for detecting the presence of a bag in said recess, said sensing means being adapted to activate said clamping means to move across said recess when the recess is empty and to maintain said clamping means in a withdrawn position when a bag is located in said recess.
 4. A check-out counter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said recess is located substantially centrally of said second counter.
 5. A check-out counter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first counter has two movable belt means forming two movable counter surfaces arranged in series and independently operable. 